sq ft bio-skills lab

C-arms on-site

person auditorium seating

About SERC

Specialty Education and Research Center (SERC) is a cutting-edge training facility created to provide an optimal learning environment for advancements in patient care.

Since its opening in 2007, SERC continues to support the heart of the North American Spine Society's (NASS') mission to foster high quality spine care through education and research. It is open to a variety of medical societies, organizations, and companies to host hands-on and didactic courses- bringing education to new levels.

Our Facility

Bio-Skills Lab

A state-of the-art, custom designed facility perfect for your next hands-on educational course or product testing. Every year hundreds of healthcare professionals utilize the SERC lab to enhance their skills.

Auditorium

An outstanding venue for all your didactic needs, complete with exceptional broadcast and recording capabilities. Ergonomic chairs and tiered seating for over 100 participants to learn in a comfortable and professional environment.

Boardroom

The custom-designed boardroom with a conference table that seats 20 features a 90" LCD wall-mounted display, audio, video, and lighting touch control panel, video and lighting, with an adjoining kitchenette for food service.

Executive Lounge

A casual and relaxed networking environment with comfortable seating, a 60" display, and available snack/beverages.

Quiet Rooms

Physician "quiet rooms" for private telephone calls or internet access with print capability is made available.

Registration Desk

A built-in registration station and coat/bag check area.

Lobby

Tastefully decorated reception area to greet your attendees in style. A receptionist is available to greet guests and arrange for transportation or hotel accommodations. The beautiful main hall features unique, medically themed artwork and exceptional woodwork.

Plan Your Visit

Here is some helpful information to enhance your visit and expedite the request process.

DIDACTIC SESSIONS: These sessions are held in the auditorium on the main floor

Yes; a wide variety of options are available from basic presentation to a complete recording. Please refer to the Menu of Services for more information. A NASS audiovisual technician will operate the equipment.

No; SERC is a fully-integrated facility that contains specialized AV and recording equipment that will not interface with external equipment. A NASS audiovisual technician is required to operate the equipment.

An onsite technician will familiarize you with the space and its features as well as run all the presentations and do all the switching and management from the control booth. SERC has a best practices document that can be found online or requested from your meeting coordinator for guidelines to follow in preparing presentations for optimal viewing.

Stop by the control booth behind the auditorium and an AV technician will upload your presentations. Or, you also may arrange with your NASS meetings contact to have the capability to upload presentations prior to the meeting.

Yes; the Boardroom seats up to 20 and has an attached catering kitchen. There are also two small Conference Rooms that can seat up to 8 and the Multi-Function Room can be reconfigured for didactic purposes as well.

LAB SESSIONS: These sessions are held in the bio-skills lab on the lower level

The main lab is 3,800 sq. ft. and can accommodate up to 12 stations; with up to six participants per table for optimum learning. The Private Development Lab is 288 sq. ft. and can fit up to 2 stations. The two labs can be combined to fit up to 14 stations. (Note: For larger courses, the lab can accommodate up to 28 stations by doubling up, if needed.)

SERC can make efforts to assist in renting any equipment we do not have at the facility. Please alert us at least 30 days prior to the course date, any requests for additional instrumentation after that time are not guaranteed.

Yes; the main floor has a women's locker room with 50 lockers and a room on the lower level with two additional lockers. There is a men's locker room on the lower level with 76 lockers and an additional 18 lockers available on the lower level if needed.

MULTI-FUNCTION ROOM: The multi-function room is located on the main floor and includes a catering kitchen. Overflow from the auditorium can view the live presentation from this room or the space also may be used for meals and breakouts.

The multi-function room can accommodate 112 participants with the general setup of 20 five-foot long tables and chairs. If a podium or other display is used, the room can accommodate 96 people. The multi-function room can be reconfigured to suit your needs.

Please refer to our catering list for catering options. You can also choose to work with your own caterer, however, a server must be provided for groups of 20 or more participants. You are billed directly by the catering company

Please call the shipping company you wish to use to arrange for pick-up on the next business day. Absolutely no weekend pick-ups. Make sure all packages are clearly labeled and the Outgoing Shipping Request Form is filled out and placed with the shipment.

TRANSPORTATION/LODGING

From Chicago Midway Airport: approximately a 20-minute drive, dependent on traffic.
From O'Hare International Airport: approximately a 30-minute drive, dependent on traffic.
Refer to the Transportation/Lodging page. NASS provides a list of shuttle and cab companies upon request.

MISCELLANEOUS

Signage is allowed in the reception area and along the main corridor; six easels are available. Once onsite, registration may be located at the front desk near the main entrance or adjacent to the auditorium on the main floor.

Give Us A Call:

Visit us at:

north american spine society

The North American Spine Society is a global multidisciplinary medical society that utilizes education, research and advocacy to foster the highest quality, ethical, value- and evidence-based spine care for patients.